Bellator 165 results: Michael Chandler edges Benson Henderson to retain lightweight title

Following a TKO victory over former Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Freire, “Smooth” Benson Henderson earned his shot at currently reigning lightweight champion “Iron” Michael Chandler. In the end, the former UFC champ came up short in a closely fought battle.

The lightweight title fight was the main event of Bellator 165, which took place at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., and streamed on Spike.

Chandler (16-3 MMA, 13-3 BMMA) and Henderson (24-7 MMA, 1-2 BMMA) quickly met at the center of the cage and started gauging striking distance. Chandler advanced with hard single kicks and punches. Henderson slipped after a throwing a kick but quickly recovered. Chandler connected with hard punches against the fence, not fearing any counters.

After roughing up Henderson, Chandler landed a monster suplex, dropping Henderson on his head. Henderson defended multiple guillotine attempts and ate a barrage of punches before eventually turning the tables and pressing Chandler against the cage. However, he was unable to mount an offense before the end of the Round 1.

The fighters reengaged on the feet in the second frame, both able to land single strikes. Chandler himself slipped, but quickly got back to his feet. Chandler missed a hook to the head, from which Henderson attempted a single leg takedown, only to be shrugged off. Both fighters appeared to slow down after the frenetic pace of the opening round.

Henderson landed a left kick to Chandler’s groin, prompting a quick break in the action. Both fighters continued to strike on the feet when the action resumed, showing off their solid chins. Henderson landed a few solid left kicks to the body, as well as a Superman punch, as round 2 came to a close.

Chandler continued stalking Henderson, who appeared to be relaxed during most exchanges as the fight wore on. Henderson attempted to take Chandler down, and ended up pressuring him against the fence. The fighters reengaged at the center of the cage, and returned to kickboxing. Chandler continued to be the aggressor, though Henderson would counter consistently.

Chandler attempted a guillotine but settled for top control, moving to back control, and eventually back to pressuring Henderson against the cage. Henderson attempted a single leg while Chandler landed a few elbows and punches. After another attempted submission attempt by Chandler, Henderson scrambled free, and round 3 ended on the feet.

The fighters engaged again, with Chandler eventually managing a fireman-carry on Henderson, dumping him. Chandler proceeded to rough up Henderson on the ground. Henderson tried exploding away, only to be taken down again. Henderson attempted a kimura from his back, but quickly gave it up. Chandler maintained top position, with both fighters showing fatigue. Chandler went for a single leg, only to have Henderson land elbow strikes, and almost lock in a choke, as round 4 came to an end.

Most likely behind on the cards, Henderson started the final round by stalking the champion. Henderson landed a solid right hook to the body, and eventually got Chandler down, taking his back. Chandler escaped and took top control, pushing Henderson against he fence again. Chandler wrestled for Henderson’s legs again, and found himself taking elbows to the body one more time.

Henderson almost had Chandler in an inverted triangle, but Chandler escaped. Again, Chandler went for Henderson’s leg, leaving himself vulnerable. The fighters separated again but there wasn’t enough time for Henderson to mount any sort of effective offense.

After the closely contested battle, the judges awarded a split decision win to Michael Chandler (48-46 Chandler, 48-46 Henderson, 48-47 Chandler). Chandler defended his newly-regained belt, while former WEC and UFC champion Henderson dropped to 1-2 in the promotion.

Chandler apologized for his performance during his post-fight interview and called out former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson.

“Venom” Page takes split decision from Gonzalez

After two previous cancellations, California’s Fernando Gonzalez (25-14 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) finally got his bout against rising star Michael Page (12-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA). As usual, prior to starting, Page met his opponent in the center of the cage with his trademarked rattlesnake stance. Once started, not surprisingly, Page advanced towards Gonzalez with his hands down. Gonzalez remained cautious and kept his hands up, with his back to the cage.

Page continued to pressure with the occasional single strike. Some fans expressed frustration, possibly due to the lack of a KO after over three minutes. Both fighters continued to throw single strikes from a distance, with Page mostly controlling the center of the cage. Gonzalez attempted a double-leg takedown, only to be shrugged off by kicks. Rory MacDonald watched intently from cageside.

In Round 2, Page continued to throw single strikes, mostly kicks, while Gonzalez remained cautious. Page shook his booty for good measure. Neither fighter took any serious risk, same as before. Page slips and falls, but gets up before Gonzalez can take advantage. Page continued showboating and avoiding Gonzalez’s strikes. Page landed additional leg strikes and jabs, but still would not overcommit. Page threw a jumping knee and then showed his back to Gonzalez while walking away, until the end of Round 2.

In the final stanza, Page attempted a spinning kick, which Gonzalez avoided and used to press Page against the cage. Page resisted takedown attempts and created distance to continue striking. Gonzalez changed strategies and started stalking Page, with no success. Page continued avoiding strike attempts. Page appeared to be playing around, to the dismay of many boo birds in attendance. Referee Jason Herzog verbally admonished Page. Gonzalez continued to run after Page with strike attempts, eventually pressing him against the cage one more time. Page again managed to remain standing, despite Gonzalez’s attempts to take him down. Page avoided one final strike and the fight fizzled to a decision.

Page took a split decision (29-28 Page, 30-27 Gonzalez, 29-28 Page), putting in a performance that certainly didn’t live up to expectations.

Piccolotti gets home-state win over Girtz

Brandon Girtz (14-5 MMA, 6-3 BMMA) and Adam Piccolotti (9-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) initially engaged on the feet, gauging each other. Piccolotti attempted a flying knee, only to get tossed off by the former Division II wrestler. The taller Piccolotti continued to pressure on the feet with the occasional kick and knee, which Girtz mostly countered with his boxing. During Round 2, Girtz initially pressured with looping punches, most of which were out of range. Girtz attempted a spinning back fist, only to miss again. Piccolotti secured a takedown, but Girtz was able to scramble away. Piccolotti continued to avoid punches and land kicks. Piccolotti threw another flying knee but Girtz avoided any significant damage. In round 3, Piccolotti continued to play matador, outpointing Girtz. Both fighters briefly grappled, but wrestler Brandon Girtz’s was unable to keep the fight on the mat. Showing urgency, Girtz aggressively advanced with punches, and managed to get Piccolotti back to the ground. Piccolotti attempted a knee bar, which Girtz escaped. Girtz briefely landed ground strikes until the final bell. Despite a late rally by Girtz, California’s Piccolotti won by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), remaining undefeated.

Taylor-Melendez wins pro debut in 47 seconds

Keri-Anne Taylor-Melendez (1-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) and Sheila Padilla (2-1 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) engaged early on the feet, Melendez’s area of comfort. Melendez landed a hard right cross, causing Padilla to crumble. And the referee rushed into to stop the bout after a couple of quick hammer fists. Taylor-Melendez shut Padilla down with a knockout just 47 seconds into the first round. , winning her professional MMA debut.

Vassell dominates Carmont for lopsided win

Linton Vassell (17-5 (1 N/C) MMA, 6-2 BMMA) started out aggressively with leg kicks. “The Swarm” landed an early takedown to get full mount, eventually moving to Francis Carmont’s (25-12 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) back and locking in a body triangle. Vassell continued to rough up Carmont until the end of the round after briefly attempting a neck crank. Early in Round 2, Carmont landed a takedown of his own. Vassell attempted to scramble away, but Carmont took his back. Despite briefly controlling Vassell, Carmont is reversed, and is forced to survive again, same as in round one. On the final round, the fighters initially took turns striking, clinching and scrambling. With over two minutes left, Vassell once again body locked Carmont. Carmont ate some elbows until managing to eventually scramble away in the final moments. The crowd seemed unhappy with Vassell’s safe approach or perhaps Carmont’s lack of aggression. Vassell won a lopsided decision with scores of 30-26, 30-26, 30-25.

Full Bellator 165 results include:

MAIN CARD (Spike, 9 p.m. ET)

• Michael Chandler def. Benson Henderson via split decision (48-46, 46-48, 48-47) – to retain lightweight title
• Michael Page def. Fernando Gonzalez via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
• Adam Piccolotti def Brandon Girtz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Keri-Anne Taylor-Melendez def Sheila Padilla via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:47
• Linton Vassell def. Francis Carmont via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25)

PRELIMINARY CARD (MMAjunkie, 7 p.m. ET)

• Aaron Hamilton def Kevin Ferguson Jr. via submission (front guillotine) – Round 2, 3:00
• Carrington Banks def. Jake Roberts via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
• Diego Herzog vs. Nick Pica
• Jeremiah Labiano vs. Vince Murdock
• James Terry def Justin Baesman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Alvin Cacdac vs. Steve Gruber
• J.J. Okanovich vs. Luis Vargas
• Beau Hamilton vs. Victor Jones
• Cesar Gonzalez vs. Hugo Lujan
• Dominic Sumner def. Justin Roswell via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:09
• Dwight Grant vs. Danasabe Mohammed
• Sarah D’Alelio vs. Jaimelene Nievera

For more on Bellator 165, check out the MMA Events section of MMAjunkie.